Effects of Resonance in Quasiperiodic Oscillators of Neutron Star Binaries

Using a large quantity of Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer data presented in the literature I offer a detailed investigation into the accuracy of quasiperiodic oscillations (QPO) frequency determination. The QPO phenomenon seen in X-ray binaries is possibly a result of the resonance of the intrinsic (eigen) oscillations and harmonic driving forces of the system. I show that the resonances, in the presence of the damping of oscillations, occur at the frequencies which are systematically and randomly shifted with respect to the eigenfrequencies of the system. The shift value strongly depends on the damping rate which is measured by the halfwidth of the QPO feature. Taking into account this effect I analyze the QPO data for four Z-sources: Sco X-1, GX 340+0, GX 5-1, GX 17+2 and two atoll sources: 4U 1728-34, 4U 0614+09. The transition layer model (TLM) predicts the existence of the invariant quantity: delta, an inclination angle of the magnetospheric axis with respect to the normal to the disk. I calculate delta and the error bars of delta using the resonance shift and I find that the inferred delta-values are consistent with constants for these four Z-sources, where horizontal branch oscillation and kilohertz frequencies have been detected and correctly identified. It is shown that the inferred delta are in the range between 5.5 and 6.5 degrees. I conclude that the TLM seems to be compatible with data.Comment: 9 pages and 2 figures. Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal Letters 2002 August 2

Correlations of Power-law Spectral and QPO Features In Black Hole Candidate Sources

Recent studies have shown that strong correlations are observed between low frequency QPO`s and the spectral power law index for a number of black hole candidate sources (BHC's), when these sources exhibit quasi-steady hard x-ray emission states. The dominant long standing interpretation of QPO's is that they are produced in and are the signature of the thermal accretion disk. Paradoxically, strong QPO`s are present even in the cases where the thermal component is negligible. We present a model which identifies the origin of the QPO's and relates them directly to the properties of a compact coronal region which is bounded by the adjustment from Keplerian to sub-Keplerian inflow into the BH and which is primarily responsible for the observed power law spectrum. The model also predicts the relationship between high and low frequency QPO's and shows how BH's can be unique identified from observations of the soft states of NS's and BHC's.Comment: 2 pages, to be published in Proc. of International Conference on Stellar Mass, Intermediate Mass and Super Massive Black Holes, Oct. 28-31, 2003, Kyoto, Japa

Classification of Power Density Spectrum Features and Estimation of the Delta-Invariant Value for the Z Source GX 340+0

We present a theoretical analysis of Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer data of Z source GX 340+0 obtained by Jonker et al. In the frameworks of the recently formulated the transition layer model the delta-angle is an angle between the neutron star (NS) magnetospheric axis and the disk (presumably NS rotational) axis.We determine the angle delta=6^o.3+/- 0.^o 3 which is a combination of the simultaneously observed kHz QPO and HBO frequencies. While these three frequencies change by a factor of three or more their delta-combination stays almost constant. GX 340+0 is the fourth source (in addition to 4U 0614+09, Sco X-1 and 4U 1702-42) for which delta-angle has been determined. With at most one (constrained) parameter we make a complete classification of six observed power spectral features, including the two kHz frequencies, the first and second harmonics of the HBO frequency, low-frequency noise component and break frequencies. We demonstrate that a new component discovered by Jonker et al. in the GX 340+0 power spectrum is related to the viscous frequency branch which has been, in fact reported earlier in 4U 1728-34 by Ford and van der Klis (1998). Finally, we re-classify several previously misidentified features in the power spectrum.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figures. to be published in the Astrophysical Letter

Correlations between kHz QPO and Low Frequency Features Attributed to Radial Oscillations and Diffusive Propagation in the Viscous Boundary Layer Around a Neutron Star

We present a dimensional analysis of two characteristic time scales in the boundary layer where the disk adjusts to the rotating neutron star (NS). The boundary layer is treated as a transition region between the NS surface and the first Keplerian orbit. The radial transport of the angular momentum in this layer is controlled by a viscous force defined by the Reynolds number, which in turn is related to the mass accretion rate. We show that the observed low-Lorentzian frequency is associated with radial oscillations in the boundary layer, where the observed break frequency is determined by the characteristic diffusion time of the inward motion of the matter in the accretion flow. Predictions of our model regarding relations between those two frequencies and frequencies of kHz QPO's compare favorably with recent observations for the source 4U 1728-34. This Letter contains a theoretical classification of kHz QPO's in NS binaries and the related low frequency features. Thus, results concerning the relationship of the low-Lorentzian frequency of viscous oscillations and the break frequency are presented in the framework of our model of kHz QPO's viewed as Keplerian oscillations in a rotating frame of reference.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures, it it will appear in ApJLetter

Rayleigh - Taylor Gravity Waves and Quasiperiodic Oscillation Phenomenon in X-ray Binaries

Accretion onto compact objects in X-ray binaries [black hole, neutron star (NS), white dwarf] is characterized by non-uniform flow density profiles. Such an effect of heterogeneity in presence of gravitational forces and pressure gradients exhibits Raylegh-Taylor gravity waves (RTGW). They should be seen as quasioperiodic wave oscillations (QPO). In this paper I show that the main QPO frequency, which is very close to the Keplerian frequency, is split into separate frequencies (hybrid and low branch) under the influence of the gravitational forces in the rotational frame of reference. The observed low and high QPO frequencies are an intrinsic signature of the RTGW. I elaborate the conditions for the density profile when the RTGW oscillations are stable. A comparison of the inferred QPO frequencies with QPO observations is presented. I find that hectohertz frequencies detected from NS binaries can be identified as the RTGW low branch frequencies. I also predict that an observer can see the double NS spin frequency during the NS long (super) burst events when the pressure gradients and buoyant forces are suppressed. The Coriolis force is the only force which acts in the rotational frame of reference and its presence causes perfect coherent pulsations with a frequency twice of the NS spin.Comment: 14 pages and 2 figures, ApJ in pres

Scaling of the photon index vs mass accretion rate correlation and estimate of black hole mass in M101 ULX-1

We report the results of Swift and Chandra observations of an ultra-luminous X-ray source, ULX-1 in M101. We show strong observational evidence that M101 ULX-1 undergoes spectral transitions from the low/hard state to the high/soft state during these observations. The spectra of M101 ULX-1 are well fitted by the so-called bulk motion Comptonization (BMC) model for all spectral states. We have established the photon index (\Gamma) saturation level, \Gamma_{sat}=2.8 +/- 0.1, in the \Gamma vs. mass accretion rate (\dot M) correlation. This \Gamma-\dot M correlation allows us to evaluate black hole (BH) mass in M101 ULX-1 to be M_{BH}~(3.2 - 4.3)x10^4 solar masses assuming the spread in distance to M101 (from 6.4+/- 0.5 Mpc to 7.4+/-0.6 Mpc). For this BH mass estimate we use the scaling method taking Galactic BHs XTE~J1550-564, H~1743-322 and 4U~1630-472 as reference sources. The Gamma vs. \dot M correlation revealed in M101~ULX-1 is similar to that in a number of Galactic BHs and exhibits clearly the correlation along with the strong \Gamma saturation at ~2.8. This is robust observational evidence for the presence of a BH in M101 ULX-1. We also find that the seed (disk) photon temperatures are quite low, of order of 40-100 eV which is consistent with high BH mass in M101~ULX-1. Thus, we suggest that the central object in M101 ULX-1 has intermediate BH mass of order 10^{4} solar massesComment: 12 pages, 9 figures, accepted by Astronomy & Astrophysic

Black hole mass determination in the X-ray binary 4U 1630--47: Scaling of spectral and variability characteristics

We present the results of a comprehensive investigation on the evolution of spectral and timing properties of the Galactic black hole candidate 4U 1630--47 during its spectral transitions. In particular, we show how a scaling of the correlation of the photon index of the Comptonized spectral component Gamma with low frequency of quasi-periodic oscillations (QPO), nu_L and mass accretion rate, $\dot M$ can be applied to the black hole mass and the inclination angle estimates. We analyze the transition episodes observed with the {\it Rossi} X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) and BeppoSAX satellites. We find that the broadband X-ray energy spectra of 4U~1630--47 during all spectral states can be modeled by a combination of a thermal component, a Comptonized component and a red-skewed iron line component. We also establish that Gamma monotonically increases during transition from the low-hard state to the high-soft state and then saturates for high mass accretion rates. The index saturation levels vary for different transition episodes. Correlations of Gamma versus nu_L also shows saturation at Gamma ~ 3. Gamma-Mdot and Gamma-nu_L correlations with their index saturation revealed in 4U~1630--47 are similar to those established in a number of other BHCs and can be considered as an observational evidence for the presence of a black hole in these sources. The scaling technique, which relies on XTE J1550--564, GRO 1655-40 and H 1743-322 as reference sources, allows us to evaluate a black hole mass in 4U~1630--47 yielding M_{BH}~10+/- 0.1 solar masses, and to constrain the inclination angle of i< 70 degrees.Comment: 33 pages, 13 Figures. The paper is accepted and scheduled for publication in The Astrophysical Journal, July 1, 2014, v 789, 1 issu

The Observed Galactic Annihilation Line. Possible Signature of the Cluster for Accreting Small Mass Black Holes

Compton Gamma Ray Observatory, OSSE, SMM, TGRS, balloon and recent INTEGRAL data reveal a feature of the 0.511 MeV annihilation radiation of the Galactic Center with a flux of approximately 5x 10^{-4}~0.511 MeV photons cm^{-2} s^{-1}. We argue that e+e- pairs can be generated when the X-ray radiation photons and ~10-30 MeV photons interact with each other in the compact region in the proximity of the Galactic Center black hole. In fact, disks formed near black holes of 10^{17} g mass should emit the ~ 10 MeV temperature blackbody radiation. If positron e+ sources are producing about 10^{42} e+ s^{-1} near the Galactic Center they would annihilate on the way out and result in 0.511 MeV emission. We suggest that the annihilation radiation can be an observational consequence of the interaction of the accretion disk radiation of the SMall Mass Black Holes (SMMBHs) with X-ray radiation in the Galactic Center. This is probably the only way to identify and observe these SMMBHs.Comment: 21 pages, 1 figure, to appear in the ApJ, 10 March 2006, v 639 2 issu